ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.
President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began a three-week annual leave described by the Presidency as a working vacation. He later travelled to Paris, France, after spending about a week in the United Kingdom.
While in Paris, the President held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
In a statement issued Monday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct the affairs of government despite being away from the country.
The Presidency cited the President’s directive for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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During Tinubu’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima was delegated to represent him at some official functions.
Shettima, however, departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also represented the President at some official events, would continue in that role while Tinubu remains abroad.
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At the United Nations General Assembly, the Presidency said Vice President Shettima would represent President Tinubu and present Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency also responded to criticism over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly, describing comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm as irresponsible.
Meanwhile, on the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations involving prominent party leaders and traditional rulers across the country.
The Presidency did not specify the exact date of Tinubu’s return but said he would be back in Nigeria at the weekend.
